Positive start for Ducati Xerox pair.

Ducati Xerox pairing Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga pronounced themselves happy following the first day of testing for the 2009 World Superbike Championship at Portimao.

Back on the bike after dominating last time out at Kyalami, Fabrizio was once again in fine form as he battled for the quickest time in both the wet morning and dry afternoon sessions.

Emerging an eventual second place, two tenths behind Sterilgarda Ducati's Shane Byrne, while Fabrizio admits he would have liked to have stolen the headlines at the end of day one, he was satisfied to be up at the front again.

“It's nice to be back here in Portugal. We've made a good start and even though I was hoping to make the fastest time of the day I'm happy with the results anyway. We'll see if the track dries out a bit in time for tomorrow's sessions, if it does I'll be able to get a lot more laps under my belt.”

Compared to his first day out in South Africa, when he crashed three times, Haga enjoyed a far less eventful time on the 1098R as the ex-Yamaha man continued to get acclimatised to his surroundings.

Fifth quickest in the afternoon, half a second adrift of Fabrizio, Haga claims to be 'relaxed' with his new bike and team.

“It's gone well today. This morning we couldn't do so much because the track was still very wet but the afternoon was more productive. I'm feeling pretty relaxed and comfortable with the bike and the team. I've had no real problems so far.”

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